Contextualization

Electric current is a directed flow of charged particles in a conductor, usually formed by free electrons. This physical phenomenon is crucial for the basic understanding of important technical and scientific concepts in various areas of knowledge, from the fundamentals of physics to its application in electronic devices, power systems, and telecommunications.

Electric current is classified into two types: direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC). Direct current has a constant flow and fixed direction, as in batteries. On the other hand, alternating current, such as the one found in residential electrical networks, has a direction that varies periodically.

We know that the amount of current flowing through a conductor is calculated by the ratio of the amount of charges passing through a point in a time interval, this relationship comes from the formula I = Q/t. But how can we really understand what this means?

Importance of Electric Current

In the modern world, electric current is the foundation of technology. It powers our homes, cities, industries, vehicles, and everything else that depends on electrical energy to function. Without electric current, we would not have lighting, computers, internet, television, phones, household appliances, and much more.

The devices we use every day, such as smartphones and computers, operate based on complex electrical circuits that manage extremely small currents. Thus, understanding electric current provides the basis for the study of electronics and electrical engineering.

It is also essential in medicine, enabling the creation of equipment such as electrocardiograms, magnetic resonance imaging devices, and defibrillators, which save lives every day. In addition, electric current is present in industry, agriculture, residential and commercial automation, in short, in virtually all human activities.

Practical Activity: Building and Analyzing Electrical Circuits

Project Objective

Enhance students' understanding of electric current through the construction and analysis of simple electrical circuits. Students will work in groups of 3 to 5 people for a period of one month.

Detailed Project Description

In this project, students will first learn about the basic concepts of electric current, resistance, and voltage. Subsequently, they will build two circuits in series and in parallel, using a battery, resistors, a multimeter, and wires. Finally, they will compare the characteristics of each one.

Required Materials

• Battery (e.g., 9V)
• Resistors (2 resistors with known resistance)
• Conductor wires
• Multimeter (to measure current and voltage)
• Circuit mounting board (optional)

Detailed Step-by-Step

1. Study of Concepts: Use the provided learning resources to learn and review the concepts of electric current, resistance, and voltage.

2. Assembly of Series Circuit: Use the battery, resistors, and wires to assemble a series circuit.

3. Measurement in Series Circuit: Use the multimeter to measure the current at different points in the series circuit and make notes.

4. Assembly of Parallel Circuit: Without disassembling the series circuit, use more wires and resistors to turn it into a parallel circuit.

5. Measurement in Parallel Circuit: Use the multimeter to measure the current at different points in the parallel circuit and make notes.

6. Comparative Analysis: Compare the characteristics of the current in the series and parallel circuits, based on the measurements taken.

7. Activity Report: Write a detailed report, presenting the reviewed concepts and study, the methodology adopted, the assembly and measurement records of the circuits, and an analysis of the observations. The conclusion should highlight the learnings, preferably linking theory with practice. Cite the reference sources used for the project.

Project Deliverables

The deliverables will consist of the activity report and the notes taken during the execution of the experiments. The report should be structured as follows:

1. Introduction: Description of the context and importance of studying electric current and the project's objective.
2. Development: Explanation of the concepts of electric current, resistance, and voltage, detailed description of the practical activity carried out and the measurement records obtained. Images and drawings of the assembled circuits should be included.
3. Conclusions: Discussion of the observations, comparison between the series and parallel circuits, conclusions drawn about the project, and learnings obtained.
4. Bibliography: List of reference sources used for the project, such as books, web pages, videos, among others.